What can we do to improve the public education system and make it work better for those who are not coming from nurturing families? We can create mentoring programs that give those children adult role-models who will help them see a future different than what they envision for themselves currently. We can continue to work to lower class sizes, yes, and we can work to involve more parents in the system by reaching out to them.
For many, many children, their time in a public school is the most stable, secure part of their day. I teach myself, and I see many, many students who do not like going home for school breaks or summer recess. They enjoy being at school, where they have boundaries, are challenged to take a risk and learn each day, and where they see teachers who love them and want what’s best for them. Who set firm boundaries, yet do so with calm purposefulness and understanding. It’s not a perfect system, but giving up on it will only leave those children to fall through the cracks. There must be a better way.
